New signs in Merchants Block lot are glimpse of the future in Wooster

By STEVEN F. HUSZAIStaff WriterPublished: February 18, 2013 4:00AM

WOOSTER -- Starting with the public parking lot behind the Merchants Block development, a new and cohesive sign design was unveiled.

The black and white design is a similar style to the signs erected at the Madison Avenue on and off ramps to U.S. Route 30. But these are the first signs in downtown as major stakeholders begin cleaning up the sign issue.

"Long-term we want to do every (public) parking lot so we have cohesive signage downtown," said Sandra Hull, executive director of Main Street Wooster.

Hull said cleaning up downtown signs in order to make parking easier to find, especially for out-of-towners, is a chief concern from merchants downtown.

"Perceptually, when people go into downtown and see the similar signs, the shopper feels good about that, it's more easily identifiable ... they don't feel like they are confused or lost," Hull explained from studies on the issue.

The number of signs, Hull explained, is something visitors have said is difficult to see or navigate. But practically, the number of signs is not attractive. Ultimately, as signs get replaced Hull said there will be fewer signs in downtown.

Justin Starlin, president of the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce, said the design and overall concept was a four-way partnership between the Chamber, Main Street, the city and Wooster Growth Corp.

He said the project will help get rid of signs downtown, such as for one-hour, three-hour, leased and handicapped signs that create a sense of clutter in the various lots.

Letter Graphics, based in Orrville, was selected to design the signs.

The city is involved because long term signage plans would involve city-owned parking.

"Wooster Growth currently owns the South Market lot and the Merchants Block Parking lot," Joel Montgomery, director of administration, explained.

The Merchants Block project, including parking, signage, street-scape improvements, lighting and traffic signal upgrades was managed by the city and was able to leverage mostly non-city funds to accomplish this, such as Community Development Block Grant funds, Revolving Loan Funds, and Ohio Public Works Commission monies.

Two city-owned lots at North and South Buckeye Streets could also be involved, especially as Wooster Growth has discussed taking over ownership of those parking lots as well.

"Parking is one of those issues that rises to the top every so often," Hull said. "You know three years ago before we got things going on South Market Street, those lots used to be empty... now we have to tweak what's needed. "

Reporter Steve Huszai can be reached at 330-287-1645 or shuszai@the-daily-record.com. He is @GeneralSmithie on Twitter.